About Us

CATHERINE RUSSO serves on the prayer team at Bible Café and is actively involved in her church’s prayer ministry, along with volunteering in many other church activities. She has led community groups that support underprivileged adults by teaching job-search strategies, professional skills, and internship preparation to help them begin meaningful careers. Catherine’s passion is assisting others to recognize their God-given gifts and discover a fulfilling, purpose-driven life. She loves hot chocolate, reading, and long walks. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their cat, Geppetto.

DEB GABRIEL is a Nurse Educator, Productivity & Organization, Fashion & Confidence. Grace…and loves Shoes. She leads international Bible Cafe studies from Canada.

DR. DIANA MOYE-MITCHELL received professional training and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Chicago State University, a Master of Divinity degree from Howard School of Divinity, and a Doctorate of Ministry degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta. Dr. Moye- Mitchell’s doctoral work focused on the inequalities and sufferings of women in the “Black Pentecostal Church.” As a ministry servant of prayer, teaching, and training, Dr. Moye-Mitchell seeks to encourage people of all ages to live their godly purpose with passion, and to pursue excellence in life.

HAYLEY PHILIPPUS is an active member of her local church where she has served as a youth leader and ministry director.  She has a heart for working with people from around the globe and has taught adult ESL (English Second Language) for 15 years. Hayley joined the Bible Cafe™ leadership team in 2020. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and Yorkie poo puppy.

JANELLA CANTU-MYRICKS is a retired school principal. Bible Studies have been an important part of her walk with Christ for over 30 years. Married to her wonderful loving husband for 25 years, she describes her family as the “The Brady Bunch” as a blended family with six children. God blessed her with 12 beautiful grandchildren. Along with studying God’s word, she is volunteering with the American Red Cross, spending time with her sisters, reading, and camping.

JANE WYSZYNSKI is a retired nurse. She attends a local community church where she is involved in VBS, the meal committee, and womens Bible study class. She has been married for 22 years, and they have four adopted children from Kazakhstañ. As the children are now young adults, she has been more active in learning about the Bible. She participates and co-leads women’s Bible study classes. She loves to meet new people.

JENNIFER HIRST is the mother of seven children. She is on a new adventure of writing devotions and books.  She joined the Womens Bible Cafe™ in 2015 and two years later became a group leader. She enjoys spending time with God and doing what He calls her to do, surrendered to His will.

JEANNE RIDDERMAN is a Daughter of the king and tries to be the sunshine in other peoples lives.  She has been married for 45 years to her best friend and couldn’t image sharing her life with anyone else. She is blessed with two married sons, two beautiful Daughter-In-loves, and three Grandchildren. She is a retired social worker from the state of Michigan after serving for 30 plus years.  She volunteers at Christian Neighbors (Christian Faith Food pantry), She is very involved in her church with the prayer team and card ministry. She has been involved in the Bible Cafe Ministry as a student, leader, and prayer warrior on and off for over 10 years.  She enjoys gardening, walking, cooking,  and being involved with her Grandangels and their lives. Her life verse is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

KATHY McLEISH is a former library information technology coordinator and has been participating in study groups with the Womens Bible Café™ since 2017. She serves as a speaker in her church as well as a financial secretary. She is an eager student of God’s Word and enjoys the times of learning and growth she has found as a member of the Bible Café.

KRIS WALDRON has been an active member of the Bible Café community since 2016. She has completed numerous online studies. She is co-owner of a small trucking company, working from home and parenting her children. She has a passion for leading people to Christ and to know Him through Bible study. Kris has a reputation for encouraging the students in our discussion groups and making sure every voice is heard.

LIZ LIGNOS joined BCU during the pandemic and has been an active member ever since. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for 30 years and is a mother of two children. She has been blessed to be an active stay at home mom. A caregiver at heart, she is involved with various church, school, and community programs, where she loves to tend to the needs of others. She enjoys early mornings getting to know God as the sunrises. She has lived and traveled in many places and is often found in the kitchen creating meals for family and friends to enjoy. Jeremiah 29:13  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

MARY BETH FLOYD is a retired school teacher and very active in her local church. She helps people recover from addiction and codependency through her work at Celebrate Recovery. Recently widowed, she lives in Tennessee and enjoys meet-ups with her church friends and friends from college.

MARY SCHILLING lives in northeast Kansas.  She is a former Special Education teacher and a retired School Administrator.  She loves to study the Bible and look for ways to serve others. She has just started as a leader for the Bible Cafe studies this year. Mary is a mom to three dogs that she adopted from Humane Societies.  She loves to quilt and has donated several to a local Hospice.

MARY JO MARX is a mom, wife, caregiver, Kids Ministry Volunteer, VBS supporter, leader, and a seeker of Christ. She enjoys quilting, cross-stitching, baking, and making her home a sanctuary for her family. MJ lives in Eastern Montana with her husband and is a caretaker for her mom.

RENE WELCH (bio coming soon)

RHONDA KNIPP COLLINS has been with Bible Cafe intermittently since 2011 as a participant. She is now a member of the Prayer Team. She was widowed in 2019 and is a retired mental health therapist with the state of South Carolina. She has two adult children and two grandchildren. She is a strong advocate for individuals with disabilities, loves to read mysteries and true crime stories. She also loves to craft and explore genealogy.

SHELIA EDENS-BROWN is a speaker, author, spiritual leader, coach, and founder of A Woman of Grace ministry. Sheila believes all women are full of potential and purpose but, at times, lack the knowledge to find their inner self and release it. Through her workshops and training, Sheila empowers women with the tools needed to reach their full potential.

SONJA KORUM-CAMPBELL grants wishes to kids as a Make-a-Wish Coordinator in Seattle Washington. A proud dog mom with three doodles, she enjoys watching football and hosting theme parties with her husband. Her sense of humor and her amazing organizational skills add value to the Womens Bible Cafe ministry.

STASIA NIELSEN is a career missionary and leader at the Womens Bible Cafe™. She has served internationally, leading people to Christ. She has served as a Chaplain with the Billy Graham Organization and with Samaritan’s Purse. She lives in Texas and Mexico.

TRICIA MCWILLIAMS was led by the Holy Spirit in answer to prayer to the Women’s Bible Cafe in 2013. She has been a participant, a Bible study leader and at present serves on the Prayer team of the ministry. She believes praying for others is both a honor as well as a gift to share with others. She has completed 35+ studies. She is a wife, mother to two grown children and grandmother to one adult granddaughter. She has also recently been blessed with a young 8-year-old step grandson come into her life. She believes prayer should be our first reaction to life’s ups and downs.

VALERIE LENZI has served as a small-group leader for Celebrate Recovery at a couple of local churches over the years. She also served with Time to Revive on local outreach missions and has been part of the missions group at her local church.  She went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2009.  Valerie has served in the children’s ministry at her local church.  She enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, and she lives in central Wisconsin. She has participated in numerous studies through Women’s Bible Café and really enjoys them. She also enjoys traveling, reading, and photography.